Suffolk County prosecutors dropped the hammer on a violent Long Island street crew, unveiling a sweeping 57-count indictment that reads like something out of a crime thriller: two murders, multiple shootings, armed robberies, and even a rogue cop accused of fueling the chaos.
Eighteen alleged members and associates of the Riverhead-based “48 Gang” are now facing serious charges tied to a years-long reign of violence that authorities say terrorized neighborhoods from 2021 through 2025.
“This indictment is yet another example of our commitment to eliminating gang violence,” vowed DA Raymond Tierney. “Gangs and illegal guns have no place in Suffolk County: we will bring everyone involved to justice.”
At the center of the case are Justin Dicks and Jacob Moore, both 24, accused of the 2021 execution-style killing of 18-year-old Marcel Arrington in Mastic Beach during a botched robbery. Prosecutors say the pair lured the teen with a fake drug deal before allegedly shooting him in the chest.
In a separate slaying, alleged gang member Nickomas Allen is accused of tracking down and shooting James Ayers in the head on a Riverhead street in 2023 after a heated confrontation.
Authorities say the gang operated out of housing complexes in Riverhead, using shared weapons and brute force to dominate turf and bankroll their activities through robberies, drugs, and fraud.
Among the most shocking twists: Kyren Braunskill, a Mount Vernon police detective, is accused of secretly supplying guns to the gang and even trying to arrange violence through his underworld ties.
“This case highlights that no one is above the law,” said Riverhead Police Chief Ed Frost. “The violent acts of a few won’t destroy our community.”
The crew’s alleged crimes include back-to-back armed robberies at 7-Eleven stores, a deli heist that ended with a clerk pistol-whipped, and a terrifying shooting into a home occupied by elderly residents.
“We will not stand by,” said Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. “Those who bring fear to our neighborhoods will be held accountable.”
Investigators recovered at least a dozen illegal firearms tied to the group.
“This shows what teamwork can do,” added Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. “Dangerous criminals off the streets.”
With multiple defendants facing decades behind bars, officials say the message is loud and clear: Suffolk County is taking its streets back.